Dominic Thiem

[Damian]

[arti]

[Damian]

[Damian]

Thiem 'Almost Perfect' In Acapulco

Spoiler:

Austrian will meet sixth seed del Potro in quarter-finals
Former champion Dominic Thiem looked like a hard-court king on Wednesday. The 2016 Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC champion dismissed #NextGenATP Canadian Denis Shapovalov 6-2, 6-3 in just 75 minutes.

The third seed won 77 per cent of his service points and didn't face a break point. Thiem also benefitted from 20 unforced errors from the left-handed Shapovalov.

“I'm very happy because... everybody knows how good he can play and how dangerous he is, but I kept him kind of down from the first point on, and it was really good,” Thiem said. “I was really on from the first point... Today was almost perfect.”

You May Also Like: Del Potro Happy To Rediscover Top Form
The Austrian has won nine ATP World Tour titles – seven of which have come on clay. He will next meet Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina, who won the final evening match on Cancha Central over four-time champion David Ferrer 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

Reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion Hyeon Chung kept winning. The South Korean dropped only four games and didn't face a break point against 21-year-old American Ernesto Escobedo, moving into the quarter-finals 6-3, 6-1. It's already Chung's fourth quarter-final of the season – ASB Classic, Australian Open, Delray Beach Open.

Chung will next face Kevin Anderson of South Africa, the fifth seed who's playing at a career-high ATP Ranking of No. 8. Anderson sent down 10 aces and dropped just five first-serve points as he saw off France's Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-4. He defeated Chung in straight sets in their only prior FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting in Stockholm last season.

American Jared Donaldson, who also played at the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals last November in Milan, also dropped only four games against Aussie Matthew Ebden 6-3, 6-1. Donaldson reaches his first quarter-final of the year, and will next meet Feliciano Lopez of Spain, who overcame 15 aces from Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis to advance 6-3, 6-4.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/thi ... -wednesday

[arti]

Thiem On A Mission For Hard-Court Success

Spoiler:

Dominic Thiem’s clay-court credentials are well proven but that only makes the gifted Austrian hungrier for greater success on other surfaces. The 24-year-old is no one-surface specialist and has high hopes of making a statement at this year’s BNP Paribas Open where he returns as the No. 5 seed.
Last year Thiem fell in a gripping quarter-final to Stan Wawrinka, an opponent who holds two hard court Grand Slam titles to his name. Only last week, he went down to eventual champion Juan Martin del Potro in the quarter-finals at Acapulco.

It was there in Mexico he won his lone prior hard-court trophy to date, in 2016. Could Indian Wells deliver his next hard-court breakthrough?
“I’m always trying to make some changes to play better on hard courts,” Thiem said. “I’ve played three tournaments on hard courts [this year]. Doha was fine, Australia was also fine. Acapulco I lost to del Potro who won the tournament so I think I’m [heading] in the right direction.”

Despite a handful of big names missing from this year’s BNP Paribas Open draw Thiem does not see a vacuum waiting to be filled. Not does he see it as an easier path to success.
“More and more there are some big names coming up also, some young good players,” Thiem said. “Del Potro is back too. He’s a big name again which he maybe wasn’t last year. Even though many big players are out there are some new ones taking their spots so I don’t think it’s much easier to go deep than it was [in previous] years.”

One such young player coming up is #NextGenATP Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas, Thiem’s second-round opponent.
“I played him in Doha and was quite impressed actually,” Thiem said. “I’d never seen him before or practised with him before. I think he definitely has potential for Top 20, for sure. I think it’s also nice to have someone from Greece, I think the first real top player from that country. I think he’s going to be good.”

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/thi ... 8-thursday

[COA]

[Damian]

Thiem Tames Tsitsipas In Opener

Spoiler:

Berdych first player through to third round
The 2017 March Masters did not go as Dominic Thiem had hoped, as the Austrian lost in the quarter-finals at the BNP Paribas Open and then fell in his opener at the Miami Open presented by Itau.
The World No. 6 got off to a good start to the March Masters swing in 2018, defeating #NextGenATP Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in a back-and-forth battle 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 on Saturday afternoon at Indian Wells to move into the third round. Thiem has advanced to at least the quarter-finals at four of his five tour-level tournaments this season, with his only earlier loss coming in the Round of 16 at the Australian Open (l. to Sandgren). The Austrian 24-year-old now has an ATP World Tour-leading 17 victories this season (17-3), three more than the next player on the list, Fabio Fognini (14-4).
Thiem seeks his 10th ATP World Tour title after earning trophy No. 9 last month in Buenos Aires.

The right-hander cruised through the first set and appeared he would begin his tournament much like he did last year, when he claimed his first three matches in the desert without a set going past 6-4. But a lull in his level allowed the free-swinging Tsitsipas — who also has a one-handed backhand like Thiem — to break immediately in the second set and hang on to force a decider. Thiem found his game in the third set, though, breaking twice and winning 50 per cent of return points to outlast the teenager.
Tsitsipas entered the first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event of the season with one victory at this level (2017 Shanghai, d. Khachanov), but he nearly doubled that total in this tournament alone. The 19-year-old was one of four #NextGenATP teenagers to advance to the second round at Indian Wells (4-0). The Greek is in fine form despite the loss, reaching his first ATP World Tour 500-level quarter-final last week in Dubai.
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Thiem will next face Pablo Cuevas, after the 30th seed outlasted Canadian teen Denis Shapovalov 7-6(4), 6-3. A hyper-aggressive Shapovalov fired 25 winners, to Cuevas' 12, but could not overcome the Uruguayan's dogged defence and persistent play from the back of the court. The South American veteran is coming off a quarter-final result in Indian Wells last year.
Cuevas and Thiem could be on a Round-of-16 collision course with No. 12 seed Tomas Berdych, who cruised past German Maximilian Marterer 6-1, 6-4 in 71 minutes. The left-hander earned a break in the second set, but the veteran Czech stormed back to clinch the match in straight sets and become the first player to move into the third round.
Berdych advances past his opener at Indian Wells for the eighth time in his past nine appearances in the desert. The Czech has made at least the quarter-finals three times at the BNP Paribas Open, with his best result coming in 2013 when he reached the semi-finals (l. to Nadal). He will clash with reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion Hyeon Chung in the third round. The Korean, who claimed three wins from a set down en route to the title in Milan, rallied from an early deficit in his Indian Wells opener. He defeated Dusan Lajovic 6-7(9), 6-3, 6-3.
Did You Know?
Thiem did not lose more than four games in a set at the 2017 BNP Paribas Open until the quarter-finals, when he fell against Stan Wawrinka.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/thi ... 8-saturday

[Damian]

Thiem Tames Tsitsipas In Opener

Spoiler:

Berdych to meet Chung in the third round
The 2017 March Masters did not go as Dominic Thiem had hoped, as the Austrian lost in the quarter-finals at the BNP Paribas Open and then fell in his opener at the Miami Open presented by Itau.

The World No. 6 got off to a good start to the March Masters swing in 2018, defeating #NextGenATP Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in a back-and-forth battle 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 on Saturday afternoon at Indian Wells to move into the third round. Thiem has advanced to at least the quarter-finals at four of his five tour-level tournaments this season, with his only earlier loss coming in the Round of 16 at the Australian Open (l. to Sandgren). The Austrian 24-year-old now has an ATP World Tour-leading 17 victories this season (17-3), three more than the next player on the list, Fabio Fognini (14-4).

Thiem seeks his 10th ATP World Tour title after earning trophy No. 9 last month in Buenos Aires.


The right-hander cruised through the first set and appeared he would begin his tournament much like he did last year, when he claimed his first three matches in the desert without a set going past 6-4. But a lull in his level allowed the free-swinging Tsitsipas — who also has a one-handed backhand like Thiem — to break immediately in the second set and hang on to force a decider. Thiem found his game in the third set, though, breaking twice and winning 50 per cent of return points to outlast the teenager.

Tsitsipas entered the first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event of the season with one victory at this level (2017 Shanghai, d. Khachanov), but he nearly doubled that total in this tournament alone. The 19-year-old was one of four #NextGenATP teenagers to advance to the second round at Indian Wells (4-0). The Greek is in fine form despite the loss, reaching his first ATP World Tour 500-level quarter-final last week in Dubai.

Watch Full Match Replays

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Thiem will next face Pablo Cuevas, after the 30th seed outlasted Canadian teen Denis Shapovalov 7-6(4), 6-3. A hyper-aggressive Shapovalov fired 25 winners, to Cuevas' 12, but could not overcome the Uruguayan's dogged defence and persistent play from the back of the court. The South American veteran is coming off a quarter-final result in Indian Wells last year.

Cuevas and Thiem could be on a Round-of-16 collision course with No. 12 seed Tomas Berdych, who cruised past German Maximilian Marterer 6-1, 6-4 in 71 minutes. The left-hander earned a break in the second set, but the veteran Czech stormed back to clinch the match in straight sets and become the first player to move into the third round.

Berdych advances past his opener at Indian Wells for the eighth time in his past nine appearances in the desert. The Czech has made at least the quarter-finals three times at the BNP Paribas Open, with his best result coming in 2013 when he reached the semi-finals (l. to Nadal). He will clash with reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion Hyeon Chung in the third round. Berdych leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 2-0.

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Australian Open semi-finalist Chung recovered from a set down to beat Dusan Lajovic 6-7(9), 6-3, 6-3. The World No. 26, who has reached the quarter-finals or better in four of his five tournament appearances this year, failed to convert two set points as he lost a closely fought first-set tie-break, but rallied to reach the third round after two hours and 49 minutes.

"It was a really tough match against Dusan," admitted Chung. "He played good at the baseline, so I just tried to focus all the time. It rained a little bit, but I don’t care. It was not that hot so it’s good to play [in those conditions] than later."

The South Korean was cheered on by a packed crowd on Stadium 3, with a strong contingent of fans from his home nation waving flags in support. "I was really happy to see a lot of Korean fans out there on the court," said Chung.

Seeking his first victory over Berdych in three meetings, Chung stressed the importance of focussing on his own game as he attempts to reach the Round of 16 in Indian Wells for the first time. "I’m just trying to play my tennis and I hope [it is a] great match against Tomas (Berdych)."

Did You Know?
Thiem did not lose more than four games in a set at the 2017 BNP Paribas Open until the quarter-finals, when he fell against Stan Wawrinka.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/thi ... 8-saturday

[Lleyton]

Did You Know?
Thiem did not lose more than four games in a set at the 2017 BNP Paribas Open until the quarter-finals, when he fell against Stan Wawrinka.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/thi ... 8-saturday

[Damian]

Dominic wycofuje się Miami i Pucharu Davisa. Najbliższy start w turnieju Austriak planuje w Monte Carlo.

[Barty]

Jak już napisano w wątku turniejowym, start Dominika w Monte Carlo stoi pod znakiem zapytania, jako że Austriak dopiero zaczyna treningi po kontuzji kostki.

Za oficjalnym fanpagem:

Hello from Austria! I wanted to thank you guys for all your support since I had to retire in Indian Wells due to my injury. A lot of questions have been asked, like how I am doing, when I’ll be back on court, how my therapy is going and so on. So, here are a few of the most important updates on my health:
Being injured is a whole new experience for me, but as annoying as it is, I guess that’s also a part of being a sportsmen. Also, if you see how unlucky some others are with their injuries, then I think I am not allowed to complain about mine. It is the worst injury though, in all of my career so far.
Why I didn’t retired immediately? It did hurt really bad, when it happened, but as a tennis player I am used to fight my way through, sometimes even through pain. I hoped that it wasn’t as bad, as it was in the end, also I kind of thought the pain would go away throughout the match. It was obvious in the third set, that the pain wasn’t going away.
How I am feeling now? I am obviously not happy with the situation, I can’t practice, I have to miss Miami and the only thing I can do is to watch others. Whining won’t help though. I have to make the most out of my situation now and do everything possible to return to the courts soon. That means: therapy, therapy, therapy. Every day. Focusing on my recovery as much as I normally do on practice. And if everything goes well, I hope to slowly start training again at the end of this week.
Thanks for your support. I can’t wait for the clay court season!
#bamos #thanksguys #askdominic

[Damian]

Dominic Thiem walczy o powrót do zdrowia na start sezonu gry na mączce. "To najgorsza kontuzja w mojej karierze"

Spoiler:

- To najgorsza kontuzja w mojej karierze - przyznał Dominic Thiem, który zmaga się z urazem stawu skokowego. Austriak robi wszystko, by wrócić do zdrowia na początek sezonu gry na kortach ziemnych.

12 marca, w czasie pierwszego seta pojedynku III rundy turnieju ATP w Indian Wells z Pablo Cuevasem, Dominic Thiem źle postawił stopę na korcie i doznał urazu stawu skokowego. Mimo bólu, grał dalej. Skreczował dopiero w połowie trzeciego seta. Tym samym doprowadził do pogorszenia swojego stanu zdrowia. Kontuzja bowiem okazała się tak poważna, że Austriak musiał zrezygnować z występu w imprezie w Miami, a teraz przechodzi rehabilitację.
- Bycie kontuzjowanym to dla mnie zupełnie nowe doświadczenie - napisał Thiem na Facebooku. - Ale choć jest to denerwujące, to także część zawodowego sportu. Ponadto, gdy widzę, jak nieszczęśliwi z powodu urazów są inni tenisiści, to uważam, że nie wolno mi narzekać na swój stan zdrowia. Choć to dla mnie najgorsza kontuzja w karierze.

- Dlaczego od razu nie przerwałem meczu z Cuevasem? - kontynuował. - Kiedy to się stało, czułem duży ból, ale jako tenisista jestem przyzwyczajony do walki. Miałem nadzieję, że nie stało się nic aż tak złego i że w dalszej części meczu ból zniknie. Jak się teraz czuję? Oczywiście, nie jestem zadowolony z tej sytuacji. Nie mogę trenować, musiałem się wycofać z występu w Miami i pozostaje mi jedynie obserwować, jak grają inni. Jednak marudzenie nic nie pomoże. Muszę zrobić wszystko, by jak najszybciej wrócić na kort. Oznacza to tylko jedno: rehabilitację, rehabilitację i jeszcze raz rehabilitację. Każdego dnia. Koncentruję się na powrocie do zdrowia tak, jak na normalnym treningu.

- Jeśli wszystko pójdzie dobrze, pod koniec tygodnia wznowię treningi. Dziękuję za wsparcie. Nie mogę doczekać się gry na kortach ziemnych - dodał Thiem, który jest zgłoszony do rozpoczynającego się 15 kwietnia turnieju ATP World Tour Masters 1000 w Monte Carlo, tradycyjnie inauguracyjnego "europejski" sezon gry na ceglanej mączce.

https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/tenis/74582 ... -to-najgor

[arti]

[Damian]

THIEM EXCITED FOR ‘VERY IMPORTANT’ CLAY SWING

Spoiler:

When Dominic Thiem retired from his third-round match at Indian Wells with an ankle injury, all questions of his health pointed at the coming clay-court season.

Would he recover in time to play on his favourite surface? Would he be able to defend his exceptional 2017 results? Would he be able to make a run for his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title – or even Roland Garros?

As the Austrian returns to the ATP World Tour this week at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, he intends to answer those questions.

“I always feel good coming to clay,” said Thiem. “I had some issues with my ankle from Indian Wells, but I think the problems are gone. I had a good preparation first at home and some good practice with amazing players here. So I would say I’m at 98 per cent.”



Last season, Thiem was one of the best players on clay, winning 22 matches. The only competitor who won more was none other than Rafael Nadal (24). In Europe, the only tournament where they didn’t play each other was in Monte-Carlo; Nadal was able to best the 24-year-old in three of their four FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings on clay. But in Rome, Thiem handed the Spaniard his only loss on the surface last year.

Once again, Thiem knows that Nadal will likely be an obstacle he will have to overcome if he’s to claim the top prizes over the next two months.

“We had a good rivalry during the period of clay [last season]. Four matches in six weeks, always deep in the tournament. It was amazing,” said the Austrian. “For me, he’s doing [well] for 10 or 11 years and for me it would be great to repeat a good run like last year.”

Thiem’s game has always clicked best on the picturesque clay. The surface affords him time to wind up his massive groundstrokes and build points with his exceptional athleticism. Clay allows the one-hander to combine power with creativity – and he’ll need plenty of it when he kicks off his campaign in Monte-Carlo against either Andrey Rublev or Robin Haase.

“For me it’s a very important part of the season, obviously, and I have a lot of pressure, a lot of points to defend,” assessed Thiem. “If I don’t do it I’m going to drop in the [ATP] Rankings, so big times are coming up for me, but I’m pretty relaxed. This tournament here is to fight again, to hopefully get some matches under my belt and then hopefully I can [be in] my best shape during the clay-court season.”

http://montecarlotennismasters.com/thie ... g/?lang=en

[Damian]

Thiem Saves 1MP To Edge Rublev

Spoiler:

Austrian to meet Djokovic or Coric in R3
Dominic Thiem showcased once again his formidable powers of resilience on clay courts at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters on Tuesday. The fifth-seeded Austrian saved one match point in a 5-7, 7-5, 7-5 victory over #NextGenATP Russian Andrey Rublev for a place in the third round in as many years.
Thiem, who has now contested 10 clay-court matches this year (9-1 record), led Rublev 4-1 in the deciding set before his 20-year-old opponent recovered and held one match point opportunity at 5-4, 40/30.
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For long periods Rublev had looked set to cause an upset against one of the ATP World Tour’s strongest performers on red dirt, but two run-around forehand winners from Thiem at 5-5 in the second set triggered a turn in fortune. Squandering a set point on Rublev’s serve at 4-5, 30/40, the Austrian regained his groundstroke timing to reel off six of the next seven games to lead 4-1 in the decider.
However, the damage didn’t end Rublev’s challenge. The World No. 33 continued to play aggressively and close to the baseline to break back in a 12-point sixth game en route to 4-4. In forcing Thiem to slide into backhands angled out of the court, Rublev converted his fifth break point opportunity of the ninth game with a backhand winner down the line for 5-4.

The elation was short-lived. Serving for the match, Rublev came within one point of clinching his second win over a Top 10 player in the ATP Rankings at 40/30, but went all-out in hitting a forehand long. Thiem broke back and made the pressure tell, taking Rublev’s serve to 15 to complete victory in two hours and 40 minutes.
Thiem, who was playing his first match for five weeks due to a right ankle injury, will next prepare for a third-round encounter on Thursday against ninth-seeded Serbian Novak Djokovic, the 2013 and 2015 titlist, or Borna Coric of Croatia.
Tennis Radio
Elsewhere, wild card Gilles Simon won an all-French clash to beat No. 16 seed Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 for a second-round meeting against Karen Khachanov of Russia.
There were also loud cheers for Italian qualifier Marco Cecchinato, who recorded a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia & Herzegovina in 72 minutes. Canada’s Milos Raonic, the No. 14 seed, is his next opponent.
Did You Know?
Dominic Thiem won 17 of his 22 matches during the European clay swing in 2017, reaching finals in Madrid and Barcelona (l. to Nadal).

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/thi ... 18-tuesday

[arti]

Przed Dominikiem Thiemem kluczowe miesiące. "Czuję dużą presję, bo mam do obrony wiele punktów"

Spoiler:

- To dla mnie bardzo ważny okres. Czuję też dużą presję, bo mam do obrony wiele punktów. Jeśli tego nie zrobię, spadnę w rankingu - powiedział Dominic Thiem, dla którego okres gry na kortach ziemnych to najważniejsza część tenisowego roku.

W Monte Carlo Dominic Thiem wróci do tenisa po ponad miesięcznej przerwie spowodowanej kontuzją stawu skokowego. - Problemy, które miałem, zostały rozwiązane. Mam za sobą dobre przygotowania. Najpierw pracowałem w domu, a po przyjeździe do Monako trenowałem z innymi tenisistami. Mogę powiedzieć, że jestem gotowy w 98 proc. - mówił.

Startujący sezon gry na kortach ziemnych to dla Thiema kluczowy okres roku. W ostatnich latach właśnie na mączce zdobywał najwięcej punktów i odnosił największe sukcesy. - Zawsze czuję radość, gdy zaczyna się sezon na kortach ziemnych - przyznał. - To dla mnie bardzo ważny okres. Czuję też dużą presję, bo mam do obrony wiele punktów. Jeśli tego nie zrobię, spadnę w rankingu.

W zeszłorocznym sezonie gry na kortach ziemnych Austriak zagrał w finale w Barcelonie i w Madrycie oraz dotarł do półfinału w Rzymie i w wielkoszlemowym Rolandzie Garrosie. Był jedynym tenisistą, który pokonał Rafaela Nadala. Dokonał tego w Rzymie. Zmierzyli się także w Barcelonie, w Madrycie oraz w Rolandzie Garrosie i wówczas lepszy był Hiszpan. - Przed rokiem mieliśmy świetną rywalizację. W ciągu sześciu tygodni rozegraliśmy cztery mecze w późnych fazach turniejów. To było niesamowite - wspominał tenisista z Wiener-Neustadt.

Pierwszy mecz w Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 2018 Thiem rozegra we wtorek. Zmierzy się z Andriejem Rublowem. - W tym turnieju nastawiam się na walkę. Mam nadzieję, że rozegram kilka meczów i że przez cały sezon gry na kortach ziemnych będę w dobrej dyspozycji - dodał Austriak.

https://sportowefakty.wp.pl/tenis/74932 ... -obrony-wi

[Barty]

Thiem Comes Back Against Djokovic

Spoiler:

Austrian to face No. 1 Nadal in QF
Dominic Thiem out fought Novak Djokovic in a physical and tactical clash on Wednesday at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.

Thiem, who let slip three set points in the first set, knocked out 2013 and 2015 champion Djokovic, who was contesting only his ninth match in as many months, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-3 in two hours and 29 minutes for a place in the quarter-finals.


“Every win is important, especially against such a great player as Novak,” said Thiem. “It's the quarter-finals now, so it's only getting tougher… It was important for my self-confidence, to know I'm physically 100 per cent again. It was a great win. Of course it's important, but tomorrow is a new day.”

The Austrian, who may one day emulate the achievements of his countryman three-time former Monte-Carlo titlist Thomas Muster (1992, 1995-96), watched from the 1920s clubhouse after his media commitments as World No. 1 Rafael Nadal, the 10-time champion from Spain, beat Russian Karen Khachanov later in the day.

“It's the ultimate challenge for everybody, to play against him (Nadal),” said Thiem. “For sure tomorrow, I have to raise my level again. I think I'm able to do that. If you do so, I'm going to have chances tomorrow. If not, I'm out. It's pretty easy… Of course, I would have liked to have faced him later in the tournament. But the draw was a little bit unlucky for me, especially. Hopefully for him, as well, tomorrow.”


Djokovic dragged himself back from a slow start, trailing Thiem 0-3, and later saved three set points at 3-5, Ad-out and at 4-5, when Thiem was serving at 40/15. In the tie-break, from 1/1, the Serbian stepped inside the baseline at every opportunity to win six of seven points. At 2/6, Thiem, dressed in all black on a hot day, struck his second double fault of the 60-minute first set.

You May Also Like: Zverev Achieves Best Monte-Carlo Result
Thiem, well versed in long, lung-testing rallies on red dirt, saved one break point in his first service game, then played a patient game at 2-2, when Djokovic recovered from 15/40 only to hand the Austrian a break with a backhand error. Thiem grew in confidence after a tight sixth game and broke Djokovic once more for a 5-2 advantage.

With neither player giving anything away in the decider, it was Thiem who tested Djokovic’s fitness in the seventh game. A backhand into the net at deuce by Djokovic, handed Thiem a break point which he duly converted with a clever double – a low slice that forced Djokovic to lunge, followed up with a backhand down the line that left Djokovic lunging.


At 3-5, Djokovic saved one match point with an unreturned serve, but Thiem clinched his second opportunity two points later when Thiem struck a mid-court backhand long. It was Thiem’s second victory over Djokovic, adding to his 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-0 win in the 2017 Roland Garros quarter-finals.

Thiem, a titlist in February at the Argentina Open (d. Bedene), is now 10-1 on clay in 2018 (19-4 overall). The 30-year-old Djokovic was hoping to reach the Monte-Carlo quarter-finals for the ninth time in 12 years.

Nadal leads Thiem 5-2 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series, including four red dirt matches last year (Nadal 3-1). Thiem has not played Khachanov before.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/thi ... 8-thursday

[Damian]

[Żilu]

[arti]